Chelsea are set for a horror seven-match run of fixtures after the October international break after Newcastle United advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The Blues were the last team to discover their opposition for the next round of the League Cup after Newcastle's tie with League Two's AFC Wimbledon was postponed and switched venues after extensive flood damage at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. That tie was played on Tuesday night with Eddie Howe's side running out as winners.

Fabian Schar scored the only goal of the game, slotting away a penalty in first-half injury time after the defender was brought down in the box. Enzo Maresca now knows he will play the Magpies twice in three days after first meeting them at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on October 27 before travelling to St James' Park on October 30 in the Carabao Cup.

However, that is only the tip of the iceberg for Chelsea's nightmare run of fixtures post-international break. Upon the return of domestic football, Chelsea will travel to Liverpool on October 20 before visiting Panathinaikos in their second matchday in the Conference League.

After the Newcastle doubleheader, the Blues will pit their wits against Manchester United (November 3), FC Noah (November 7) and Arsenal (November 10). Things do not get much easier after the November international break with a trip to Maresca's old club Leicester City on the agenda.

Considering how starved of success Chelsea have been in recent years, the emphasis will be on the Blues to be able to compete on all fronts this season making rotation a key priority. So far, Maresca has had a good start to life in West London with four wins and only one defeat from a possible six matches in the Premier League.

Chelsea will be looking to follow up Saturday's 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday when they host Gent in the Conference League.

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